In Detroit, residents often saw a friendly senior German shepherd, later named Nikki, walking happily beside her owner. But one day, Nikki was spotted wandering the streets alone—with only a plush toy in her mouth. Her owner had passed away, and Nikki was now navigating the world by herself, clinging to her stuffed toy for comfort.
“She just started walking around on her own with her stuffie,” said Gail Montgomery, cofounder of Almost Home Animal Rescue League. Despite being a stray, Nikki never let go of the toy—it became her security blanket.
Neighbors left food and water for Nikki and eventually reached out to South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery. After several failed attempts, the team managed to rescue her—still clutching her stuffed companion.
Nikki was taken to Almost Home Animal Rescue League, where she and her toy were both in rough shape. The rescue team gave Nikki a medical exam and discovered she had heartworm. Meanwhile, they washed and stitched up her worn-out toy.
Tired but relieved, Nikki was reunited with her freshly cleaned stuffie—and instantly curled up beside it, finding comfort and safety once again.